Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have participated in a multi-agency exercise, aimed at perfecting their rescue skills in challenging conditions at Berridale in the Snowy Mountains.
Firefighters from Cooma, Jindabyne and Perisher Valley joined local first responders from the Rural Fire Service and NSW Ambulance in the State Emergency Service-led training simulation.
Extricating RFS volunteers
The weekend scenario featured a road crash involving three buses and a car, with all agencies tasked with extricating RFS volunteers, playing the roles of injured passengers.
FRNSW Duty Commander, Troy Ingle, applauded the exercise for its realism and the positive interoperability between emergency services.
Agency’s skillsets
The weekend scenario featured a road crash involving three buses and a car, with all agencies“It’s great to have simulations like this where we can learn about each agency’s skillsets and familiarize ourselves with personnel we might find ourselves working alongside in real emergencies,” said Acting Inspector Ingle.
He adds, “We found ourselves adjusting our operations to deal with realistic weather too when the exercise began in sunny conditions but deteriorated throughout the day and it began snowing."
Unique fleet of vehicles
“FRNSW regularly trains in the Alpine conditions and we have a unique fleet of vehicles, including our tracked Hagglund rescue vehicle, snow mobiles, quad bikes and six-wheelers."
“This emergency training was among the best exercises I have experienced in my 20 years with Fire and Rescue,” continues Act. Insp. Ingle adding, “Together, we know we can confidently respond to such an incident and deal with anything thrown at us in the NSW snowfields.”
